Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

THE NIKKEI tested the 15,000 barrier yesterday, closing at 14,986, a 1 per cent gain on the day. In thin trading, shares recovered from early falls, as hopes that politicians might suspend sales taxes persisted.

Electronics companies led the way, after US computer shares rallied on Wall Street overnight. Hitachi and Toshiba each rose 3 per cent. "Some of the optimism about hi-tech profits is spilling over into the market. Investors have been staying away because of economic gloom in Asia," said one dealer.